Can body maker



March 12, 1940. M. E. WIDELL CAN BODY MAKER I Filed July 29, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 MaIChIIZ, 1940- I M. E. WIDELL I 2,192,950 CAN BODY MAKER Filed July 29, 1938 '5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTQR.

March 12, 1940. M. E. WIDELL CAN BODY MAKER Filed July 29, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 v Q N aw wMQ NQ March 12, 1940. M. E. WIDELL CAN BODY MAKER Filed July 29, 1938 5 SheetS Sheet 4 IN VENTOR.

ATTORNEY March 12, 1940. M. E. WIDELL CAN BODY MAKER 5 Sheets-Sheeffi Filed July 29, 1938 INVENTOR.

/ .ATTORNEY5 Patented Mar. 12, 1940 CAN BODY MAKER Magnus E.

Widell, Cincinnati,-

Ohio; assignor to American Can Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New Jersey Application July 29, 1938, Serial No. "222,052

9 Claims.

The present invention relates to can body mak ing machines and has particular reference to producing fibre can bodies from flat blanks which are progressively bent into can body shape, the side seamedges of the blank being incorporated in a side seam bonded with a thermoplastic adhesive. An object of the invention is the provision of a can body making machine wherein fiat fibre" blanks carrying thermoplastic adhesive along at least one side seam edge are progressively formed into can body shape and their side seam edges bonded together by the adhesive carried on the blank.

' Another object is the provision of such a machine wherein the blanks to be formed into can bodies carry a dried thermoplastic adhesive which is heated and reduced to a tacky mass during the formation of the can body and is incorporated in the side seam so that the body will be properly 20 held together.

Another object is the provision of a machine of this character wherein flat and creased can body blanks are progressively bent alongtheir creases while folding the sides of the body into proper position and while bringing their side seam portions into overlapping relation for embodiment in a side seam bonded with a heated thermoplastic adhesive.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as it is better understood from the following description, which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment thereof.

Referring to the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a can body making machine embodying the present invention, parts being broken away;

Figs. 2 to 8, inclusive, are enlarged transverse sectional views of the work produced in the machine, Fig. 2 illustrating a can body blank to be operated on, Fig. 8 showing the finished can body made from the-blank, and'Figs. 3 to 7, inclusive, showing the intervening steps of transforming the blank into a body;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the bed of the machine with parts broken away;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line Ill-l0 in Fig. 1;

. Fig. 11 is a longitudinal elevation of the machine with parts broken away;

Fig. 12 is a sectional detail taken substantially along the line I2-l2 in Fig. 14;

Fig. 13 is a transverse section taken substan tially along the broken line- |3-|3 in Fig. 11; 55 and Fig. 14 is an end elevation of the machine as viewed from the right in Fig. 11.

As a preferred embodiment of the instant invention the drawings illustrate a can body making machine in which flatblanksa (Figs. 1 and 5 9) preferably of fibrous material are moved successivelypast a plurality. of working stations which form the blanks into tubular can bodies b (Fig. 8). In thepresent case the can bodies are rectangular in cross-section, the forming of 10 the bodies being effected .by progressively folding or bending the blanks along preformed creases c (Fig. 1) which have been previously produced in the blanks by suitable means not forming any part of the present invention.

The creases preferably extend parallel with short edges d, e of the blank, these edges and the marginal portions adjacent-them being referredto hereinafter as the side seam edges. Edge e carries. a band of dried thermoplastic ad- 20 hesive j which has been previously applied by mechanismnot involved herein. This band 1 when heated bonds the side seam edges into a tight body side seam y when the edges are brought together during the body forming operations.

The creased and adhesive banded blanks a are introduced into the machine in any suitable manner at a blank receiving station A (Fig. 1). The blank enters this station with its creased surface, i. e., the surface that will be the interior 30 of the body, upward'and the-creases extending longitudinally of the machine. In this relative position the blank is advanced along a straight line path of travel from station to station in a step by step movement, the blank coming to a 35 full stop at each-station.

The first stepped movement advances the blank from the receiving station A to a notching station B. Here the corners are cut-off of the uncoated side seam edge d as shown at h' in Fig. 1,. 40

The next two stepped, movements advance the notched blank through a double forming stations 0. At this station theblank is progressively fhltifed along the two outer creases c.. The blank. is first bent as shown in Fig. 3 and: shown in Fig. 4. Thisbends the side seam edges d, e into a vertical position. The next station indicated by the letter D is an idle station.

After passing the idle station D the blank is advanced in two more stepped movements through auxiliary forming stations In these stations theblank is progressively folded along the two inner creases c bringing the blank first into a form as shown in Fig. 5, this being at E and. then into that shown in Fig. 6 which is at $5 secondly as; $53

the thermoplastic adhesive j on the side seamedge e of the body is. melted sufliciently to reduce it into a tacky mass. This is done by a blast of hot air which is directed against the adhesive. With the adhesive thus tacky, the body is moved out of the heating station G and the overlapping side seam edge e is then pressed down against its mating edge d while the body advances The body passes directly into a bumping station H where the overlapping and adhering side seam edges are tightly pressed together thereby producing the finished side seam g which holds the body together. This completes the body forming operation andthe body is then discharged from the machine to any suitable place of disposal. I I

The various operating parts of the machine.

are carried ona horizontal frame II having legs I2. One end of the frame is bolted to an upright auxiliary frame I3.

The step by'step movement of the body blanks a. through the machine is effected by a feeding 1 device which includes a pair of parallel feed bars I5 (Figs. 1, 9, l0 and 13). These feed bars extend nearly the full length. of the machine and are provided with spaced feed dogs I6. The feed bars are carried in slideways I1 formed in a ver-' tically movable table I8 disposed in an opening I9 provided in the top of the frame II.

Each feed bar I5 is set inwardly for approximately one half of its length as best shown in Fig. 9 thusjj bringing the feed dogs in these portions of the feed bars, transversely closer together so thatthey can better engage the blank after its outer portions 2' and 7 have been folded into body shape. In like manner the slideways I1 are set inwardly to properly guide these set-in portions of the feed bars.

The feed bars I5 are reciprocated in unison in the slideways I1 by eccentric action. For this purpose the set-in ends of the feed bars are tied together by a spacer block 25 (Fig. 10) having a vertical slot 26 in which a slide block 21 operates. The slide block is secured to a bifurcated end of a rocker lever 28. The lever rocks on a stationary shaft 29 which is carried in bearings 3| (see also Figs. 13 and 14) formed in the auxiliary frame I3. Collars 32 secured to the shaft retain the rocker lever against transverse displacement.

Intermediate its length the rocker lever is se stroke and'secondly onv a backward or return stroke. On the forward stroke of the feed bars the feed dogs I6 engage behind a blank a introduced into the machine at the receiving station A (see Fig. 1) and advance the blank one step into the notching station B as already suggested. During this travel of the blank it is supported over the top of the movable table I8.

The movable table I8 is mounted for vertical -movement within the opening I9 of the frame I I. In its normal or raised position the table is disposed with its top surface flush with the top of the frame I I. Itis in this raised position when the body blanks are being advanced. However, when the feed bars I5 reach the end of their forwardstroke the table is lowered to its lowermost position.

The table thereupon carries the feed bars l5 and their dogs I6 below the top surface of the frame thus disengaging the feed dogs from the chine and ready for further feeding of the v'arious blank and can parts. In this manner the feed dogs I6 spaced along the lengths of the feed bars, on this return stroke are moved away from any contact with the blanks which have been advanced to their proper stations on the forward stroke.

The vertical movement of the table I8 is effected by -cam action transmitted to the table by a series of links and levers which are connected to a plurality of bearing lugs 45 (Figs. 10 and 13) formed on the bottom of the table. There are preferably three of these lugs spaced along the length of the table and each lug carries a.

pivot pin 46. The end, of each pivot pin is secured in' a substantially horizontal leg 41 of an associated bell crank lever 48. There are thus three of these bell crank leversto correspond with the three lugs 45. Each lever 48 is mountedon a pivotshaft 49 carried inbearings 5| which depend from the top wall section of the frame II. The bell crank levers 48 are also provided with substantially vertical legs 55 which are tied together by a long connecting rod 56. The bell crank lever nearest the auxiliary frame I3, i. e., the lever at the right'in Fig. 10, is further provided with an arm 58 (see Fig. 13 which is secured to one end of a short connecting rod 59. The opposite end of this rod is secured to a cam lever 62 at an intermediate place. Cam lever 62 is mounted on a pivot pin 63 (see also Fig..1 2) carried in bearings 64 formed in the auxiliary frame The free end of the "lever carries a cam roller 65 which operates in a cam groove 66 formed in a double cam 61 mounted on the main driving shaft 38. Thus as the main driving shaft revolves, the cam 61 directly reciprocates the long connecting rod 56 and thereby rocks'theseveral bell crank levers in unison. It is this movement that lowers and raises the movable table I8.

During advancement of the blanks a the latter are supported along their side seam or outside edges (1, e by the top wall section of theframe I I andalong their middle portions by a flat support bar 12 (Figs. 1, 9 and 10). The outer end of the bar is secured in a wide groove 13 formed in the top wall section of the frame II adjacent the blank receiving station A.

Intermediate its lengththe bar I2 is secured to the top of a post I4 formed on a transverse web 15 of the frame II. The post extends up through a clearance opening I6 provided in the table I8. The inner end of the support bar is free. Throughout its entire length the top of the table I8 is formed with a wide clearance groove TI which permits the table to be raised without any interference and flush with the top of the fiat bar 12 and the top of the frame If.

when the table is in normal position.

While the blanks are advanced along the top of the frame II and the support bar I2 they are maintained in their longitudinal line of travel by guide plates 8|. These plates are secured to the top of the frame II adjacent the path of travel of the blank side seam edges d, e. Each plate is formed with an extension 82 which overlaps the blank at stations A and B and thereby prevents vertical displacement of the blank. At station A the extensions are cut away and beveled at their entrance ends. This'facilitates introduction of the blank into position on the feed bars l5.

At the notching station B there is provided a cutting or notching device 85 (Figs. 1 and 11) which is located at one side only and is adjacent the path of travel of the uncoated side seam edge d of the blank. The notching device includes a stationary housing 86 having spaced vertically disposed gibs 81 in which a slide I38 operates. The housing is bolted to the top of the frame II. The. slide is formed With a die head 89 which when performing the notching operation is adapted to move down into a suitable die SI seated in a recess 92 formed in the frame II. It is these die members which cut off the corners h of the uncoated side seam edge d of the blank as hereinbefore described.

Movement of the slide 88 in its guideways is effected by a cam groove 94 (Fig. 11) which is formed in the inner face of the fly wheel 4I carried on the main drive shaft 38. The cam groove operates in connection with a cam roller 95 which is carried on a lever 96 mounted on a stud 91 secured in a boss 98 (see also Fig. 13) formed on the auxiliary frame I3. Rotation of'the fiy wheel therefore rocks the lever 96 in time With the other moving parts of the machine and in time with the advancement of the blanks along the top of the frame II.

The free end of the lever 96 is secured to a connecting rod IOI, the opposite end of which connects with one leg of a bell crank lever I02. Lever I02 is pivotally mounted on the side of the frame II adjacent the notching device 85. The other leg of the bell crank lever I02 is connected by a link I03 to an arm I04 mounted on a short shaft I05 carried in a bearing I06 (see Fig. 1) formed in the notching device housing 86.

Adjacent the inner end of the bearing I06 the shaft I 05 carriesa toggle arm I08 which connects with an auxiliary toggle arm I09 disposed in a recess III in the die head 89. The auxiliary toggle arm I09 is mounted on apin II2 carried in the head. It is this mechanism which moves the die head 89 down into the die 9| at the proper time when a blank a is positioned at the station E and it is then that the corner notches h are produced.

The first folding operation performed on the notched blank to produce the shape of Fig. 3 bends the blank along the two outer creases c.

This is effected by a pair of stationary folding guides I2I (Figs. 1, 9 and 10). These guides are bolted to the top wall section of the frame II and extend forward of the notching station B, one on each side of the path of travel of the blank. Each guide is formed with a curved inner surface I22 which slopes upwardly and inwardly from a substantially flat portion I23 adjacent its entrance end toa vertical wall termination I24 at its discharge end.

As a notched blank a is advanced by the feed bars I5 from the notching station B into and through the folding station C, the first stepped movement slides the side seam edges 11, e of .the blank over the top of the fiat portions I23 of the guides I2I, the edges of the blank engaging against the curved portions I22. It is this action which partially bends the blank along the outer creases .c, the folded portions of the blank extendingwut at an angle as shown in Fig. 3, the blank having advanced only part way along the uides I2I.

During this advancement a-preferably square and sharp cornered rod extension I25 of the guide plates BI serves as an anvil along which the blank is bent as it moves forward. The outer edges of these rod sections are in alignment with and just above the outer creasesc of the blank. This facilitates the bending actionv These rods extend along the entire length of the bending or folding guides I2I. a

On the second stepped movement through station C the blank further advances along the curved sections I22 of the folding guides and the angularly disposed portlblisofithejlank are bent into the vertical or upright position of Fig. 4. The final upright position of the edges 41, e is brought about when the blank edges pass off of the curved sections I22 and enter between the vertical portions I24 of the guides. I

The folded blank next advances into the idle station D where it is brought under a forming horn I3I which extends throughout the remainder of the length of the machine. This horn is square in cross section for the present embodiment or shape of the can body being formed. In width the horn is the same dimension as the space between the two inner creases c of the body blank. It is around this horn that the blank is now folded along these inner creases.

The end of the horn at station D is suspended from a U-shaped bracket I32 which is bolted to the top of the frame II. This end of the horn carries a plate I33 which supports the discharge ends of the anvil rod extension I25. The opposite end of the horn is supported adjacent the bumping station H on a roller I36 (Figs. 9, 10 and 14) which is carried in a bracket I31 formed on the auxiliary frame I 3. The horn merely rests on the roller and thus permits a can body b when completely formed to be discharged from the horn the side wall a of the body passing between the horn and the roller.

The horn is preferably maintained at an even temperature by circulating a fluid cooling medium therethrough. For this purpose the horn is provided with a pair of horizontal channels I4I (Figs. 10 and 13) Adjacent the horn supporting bracket I32 the lower channel communicates witha fluid inlet pipe I42 which is threaded into the top of the horn. The upper channel communicates with a fluid outlet pipe I43 which is threaded into the horn adjacent the pipe I42. At the discharge end of the horn the upper and lower channels are connected by a short vertical channel I44.

into the shape shown in Fig. 5.

Further bending of the body blank this time around the horn and along its inner creases c is effected by auxiliary folding guides I5I (Figs. 1 and 9) which are disposed on opposite sides of the horn I3I and which are secured to the top of the frame I I. This begins at the station E and extends into station F. These auxiliary folding guides are similar to the folding guides I2I but are spaced transversely nearer to each other so that the folding action on the blankwill wrap the latter around the horn.

The auxiliary folding guides I5I are formed with curved inner surfaces I52 which have substantially horizontal portions I53 adjacent their entrance ends so that the moving blank will ride up onto them and come into engagement with the more curved portions. At the opposite ends of the guides the curved surfaces terminate in flat vertical portions I54 which are parallel with and closely spaced from the sides of the horn I3I.

During the first stepped advancement of the partially formed body blank through the auxiliary folding station E the guides I5I partly fold the blank along its inner creases until it is bent Only the central side 7' is next to the horn at this stage. This action-is followed by a second stepped movement this time in station F during which movement the blank is further bent at the inner creases c. This wraps the three sides 1', 7', k of the folded blank around the horn I3I. During this second step the side seam edge at is brought down on the horn and the edge-e comes into overlapping position above the edge d. The blank now has the approximate shape of the desired body as shown in Fig. 6.

Overlapping of the side seam edges of the blank is effected by a flat plate I56 (Figs. 1 and 9) and by a cooperating plate I51 which positions the edge e. The flat plate I56 is secured to the top of the auxiliary folding guide II on the far side of the machine as viewed in Fig. 1 and is provided with a horizontal cam edge I 58 which overlaps or rather overhangs the horn I3 I. The plate I51 is secured to the opposite guide I5I and is formed with an overhanging and upwardly sloping cam surface I59. Plate I56 is positioned so that its cam edge I58 is in advance of the cam surfaceI59 of plate I51.

The uncoated side seam portion 11 of the advancing partially formed can body first engages the cam edge I58 of the plate I56 and is accordingly laid down flat against the top of the horn. This action is readily effected since the bending takes place along the outer crease c which has already been folded in station 0 as hereinbefore explained. Continued advancement of the body along the horn next brings the adhesive coated side seam portion 6 into engagement with the cam surface I59 of plate I51. This cam surface partially bends the blank along its other previously folded outer crease 0, thus positioning the portion e in overlapping relation with the laid down portion d but holding it separated and at an angle thereto. The side seam edges are retained in this position for further continued advancement into the'next station G where the adhesive f is heated.

Heating of the adhesive f on the side seam edge e is preferably brought about by a blast of heated air ejected from a hood I6I (Figs. 1 and 13) positioned directly over the forming horn I3I. The hood is supported on a bracket I62 disposed adjacent the horn and secured to. the top of the frame II. A vertical leg I63 of the bracket holds the body against the horn as the body advances therealong. Heated air is conveyed to the hood I6I from any suitable source of supply by a pipe I64 which is attached to the hood.

Thehood I6I transversely is shaped with a substantially triangular cross section which projects over the-horn, the vertex of the triangle terminating in a nozzle head I66 (see also Fig. having longitudinal slots I61 formed therein. The nozzle head is thus located at the near side edge of the forming horn, as viewed in Fig. l. The adhesive coated side seam edge e of the advancing partially formed body passes directly over the slots of the nozzle head at the station G. A bracket I68 having an inclined shoulder I69 similar to the cam surface I59 on plate I51 keeps the coated side seam edge in proper position as it passes the nozzle head I66.

The heating station G extends for two successive stepped advancements of the body and during such movements and also during the intermediate pause the hot air is playing on the adhesive strip. The body then moves into the bumping station H. During its travel from station G to station H, the heated side seam edge e is turned down fiat into engagement with the already laid down uncoated side seam edge d. This turning down is done by the shoulder I69 which at its discharge end extends beyond the hood I6I and curves downwardly in a substantially flat shoe I1I (Fig. 1).

The bumping station H includes a vertically movable hollow hammer I (Figs. 10 and 14) which is located over the forming horn I 3I just above the place where the side seam will be located when the advancing partially formed body is brought to a stop at this station. The hammer is preferably cooled by a fluid cooling medium which is circulated through a channel I16 formed therein. Circulation of the cooling medium is maintained through an inlet pipe I11 and an outlet pipe I18 threaded into the hammer and communicating with the channel.

The hammer I15 is provided with an upwardly extending stem I8I which slides in a guideway I82 formed in an extension I83 of the auxiliary frame I3. The stem is connected to a lower toggle link I85 which in turn is pivotally connected to an upper toggle link I86. The upper toggle link is pivoted to a block I81 which slides above the stem I8I in the guideway I82.

The block is provided with a vertical shank I88 which extends up through a web I89 formed at the top of the auxiliary frame I3. The shank extends above the web and is held in position by a nut I9I which is threaded onto the shank end. A compression spring I92 surrounds the shank and is disposed between theweb I89 and the block I81 and thus maintains the latter under a desired pressure. The pressure may be changed as desired by adjustment of the nut I9I.

Actuation of the hammer I15 in time with the other moving parts of the machine is effected by cam action through a train of links and levers connecting with an arm I95 which extends outwardly as an integral part of the upper toggle link I86. The outer end of the arm is connected to a link I96 which in turn connects with an arm I98 of a bell crank lever I99. Bell crank lever I99 is mounted on a short shaft 2M carried in bearings 202 (Fig. 14) formed in an extension 203 of the auxiliary frame I3 this being a part of the frame which supports the bracket I31.

A second arm 205 (Figs. 10 and 14) of the bell crank lever I99 carries a cam roller 206 which operates in a cam groove 201 formed in the double cam 61. The cam groove 201 is on the opposite side of the cam groove 66. It will now be understood why the cam 61 is referred to as a double cam. a

The partially formed can b1 dy coming to rest in the bumping station H is'thus acted upon by the hammer I15 which moving down on the overlappedside seam edges d, e, presses them tightly together. The confined adhesive f forms the bond between the pressed together seam parts, uniting them in the tight side seam g hereinbefore explained, the cooled hammer immediately setting the adhesive. v

' When the hammer II5strikes the side seam thehorn I3I at that momentis additionally supported from below by a vertically movable anvil 2| I (Fig. 10). The anvil is provided with a square shank 2 I2 which slides in aguideway 2 I3 formed I in the frame extension 203. This shank is connectedby a link 2 to a third arm 2I5 of the bell crank lever I99. 7

Accordingly when the bell crank arm I99 rocks, in actuating the hammer I15, it also moves the anvil upward against the bottom of the horn I3I and thus takes or absorbs the thrust of the seam bumping action. This. relieves the horn supportingroller I36 from bearing the full force of the i seam bumping load.

Bumping of the side seam completes the forming of the can body which now appears as illustrated in Fig. 8. The body is then pushed off the end of the horn I3I on the next stepped movement of the feed bars I5 and is discharged to any suitable place of deposit.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

I claim:

1. In a machine for making fibre can bodies from flat blanks having side seam edges and provided with an adhesive, the combination of intermittent feeding devices for advancing said blanks in a step by step movement through the machine, body forming instrumentalities for bending an advancing blank into a tubular can body shape v while bringing the side seam edges into juxtaposition, an element for bringing together the seam edges of said formed blank with the tacky adhesive therebetween to form a holding bond for the edges thus producing a side seam for the can body. and means for supporting said formed body while its side seam edges are being secured.

2. In a machine for making fibre can bodies from fiat blanks having side seam edges one of which is provided with a dried adhesive, the combination of intermittent feeding devices for ad vancing said blanks in a step by step movement through the machine, cutting elements adjacent the path of travel of said advancing blank for cutting away .a portion of a side seam edge of said blank. body forming instrumentalities for bending an advancing blank into a tubular can bodyshape while bringing the side seam edges into juxtaposition, means for converting the adhesive into a tacky mass, an element for bringing together the seam edges of said formed blank so that the tacky adhesive will form a holding heating means for converting said adhesive into a tacky mass, a bumping element for squeezing together theseam edges of said blank While the interposed adhesive is tacky thereby producing a tight side seam for the can body, and means for supporting said formed body while its side seam edges are being bumped.

4. In a machine for making fibre can bodies from fiat blanks having side seam edges One of which is provided with a thermoplastic adhesive, the combination of feeding devices for advancing said blanks, stationary body forming instrumentalities disposed adjacent the path of travel of said blank for progressively bending an advanced blank into a tubular can body shape while bringing the side seam edges into juxtaposition, heating means for melting said adhesive into a tacky mass, a bumping element for squeezing together the seam edges of said blank while the adhesive is tacky thereby producing a tight side seam for the can body, said bumping element being formed for the circulation of a fluid cooling medium therethrough for cooling the body side seam as it is produced, and means for supporting said formed body While its side seam edges are being bumped.

5. In a machine for making fibre can bodies from fiat blanks having side seam edges one of which is provided with a dried adhesive, the combination of feeding devices for intermittently advancing said blanks in a. step by step movement through the machine, body forming instrumentalities for bending an advancing blank into a tubular can body shape while bringing the side seam edges into juxtaposition, a forming horn around which said blank is bent for supporting the latter, said horn having a passageway through which a fluid cooling medium is circulated for cooling said formed body, means for converting the adhesive into a tacky mass, and an element for bringing together the seam edges of said formed blank so that the tacky adhesive will form a holding bond between them thus producing a side seam for the can body.

6. In a machine for making fibre can bodies from fiat blanks having side seam edges one of which is provided with a dried adhesive, the combination of feeding devices for intermittently advancing said blanks in a step by step movement through the machine, body forming instrumentalities for bending an advancing blank into a tubular can body shape while bringing the side seam edges into juxtaposition, heating means for heating the side seam edges of the formed body and for melting the adhesive into a tacky mass, holding members for properly positioning said side seam edges while being heated, an element for bringing together the seam edges of said formed blank so that the tacky adhesive will .form a holding bond between them thus pro edges into juxtaposition, heating means for heating. one of said side seam edges by radiation and for directing a blast of hot'air'against the other of said side seam edges to render the adhesive as a tacky mass, an element for bringing together the seam edges of said formed blank so that the tacky adhesive will form a holding bond between them thus producing a side seam for the can body, and means for supporting said formed body while its side seam edges are being secured.

8. In a machine for making fibre can bodies from fiat blanks having longitudinal creases along which the blank is to be folded and havingside seamedges one of which is provided with a thermoplastic adhesive, the combination of feeding devices for longitudinally advancing said blanks along a predetermined path of travel, body forminginstrumentalities for bending an advanced blank along said creases and into a tubular can body shape while folding the side seam edges into juxtaposition, a forming horn around which said blank is folded and which supportssaid body after-forming, heating means ior the side seam edges of saidformed body and iior melting the adhesive thereon, anda bumping elementadjacent said horn for bumping said seam edges into a tight'side seam while the 1 formed body is supported on saidhorn.

9, In a machine for making flbre can bodies from flat blanks having longitudinal creases-along which theblank isto bekfolded and having side seam edges one of which is provided with a thermoplastic adhesive, the combination of feed-' ing devices for intermittently and longitudinally advancing said blanks ,along a predeterminedpath of travel, spacedpairs of stationary body forming guides disposed'adjacent the path of travel of said blank,said guides progressively iolding said advanced in a step by step movement through each pair oft uides, bending rails disposed ,ad-

jacent the first pair of. guides and over which portions of theblanklare folded, a-body supporting horn adjacentother pairs of guides and around .blankalong corresponding creasesas the blank is which other portions of the blank are folded,

- stationary bending members adjacent said horn for folding the side seam edges of said blank into proper position, heating means for said sideseam edges and for saidadhesive while the folded body is supported on and advanced along said horn, and a bumping element forsecuring said heated seamcedges together to provide al ght side seam for the can body thereby produced;

MAGNUS E. WIDELL. 

